Nexus 4

Updated: 1 year ago

In Short

This was the year the Nexus phone got beautiful and affordable at the same time

Named appropriately to its generation, Google released the fourth Nexus device as the Nexus 4. Like the three previous Nexus devices the Nexus 4 was created in conjunction with a manufacturer partner, and this time it was LG's turn. Though the decision to go with LG wasn't universally loved prior to release, the Nexus 4 turned out to be one of the best-built and well-designed Nexuses to date, and it was no surprise that LG was selected again to make the Nexus 5 a year later.

The Nexus 4 packed a 4.7-inch 768 x 1280 display with brilliantly-curved glass on the front and another sheet of glass on the back, which used a similar shimmering reflective pattern that LG first used on the Optimus G. It ran on a Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 2GB of RAM, rounding out specs that weren't industry-leading, but were far above what was acceptable, particularly at the price Google set the Nexus 4 at. The Nexus 4 launched alongside Android 4.2, which brought some refinement to the platform and a few new features such as Photosphere and lockscreen widgets but wasn't as dramatic of a change as we saw with the Galaxy Nexus unveiling Ice Cream Sandwich.

Google used the Nexus 4 as a jumping-off point for selling phones directly to consumers in a real way, making previous efforts look poor in comparison. Google sold the Nexus 4 directly through Google Play for just $299 (8GB) or $349 (16GB) unlocked — a price that was generally unheard of for such an advanced device. Unfortunately the launch was scarred by terrible issues with the Play Store ordering system, and it took a couple of months for Google to iron things out and have the Nexus 4 regularly available for anyone who wanted one. In August 2013 Google cut $100 off the price of the Nexus 4 to rid its store of extra inventory before the Nexus 5 launched.

Like previous Nexus phones, the Nexus 4 brought in a new feature that Google wanted Android manufacturers to use, and in 2012 that was Qi wireless charging. The Nexus 4 used Qi after the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 7 (2013) both used pogo pin docks for wireless charging, and Google eventually released a first-party Charging Orb accessory in January 2013 that was meant to be used with the Nexus 4. The charger didn't have the best design ever, and was replaced only a handful of months later with a new model. Qi charging stuck around as the charging standard of choice on the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013), although fewer manufacturers have used it in non-Nexus phones than Google likely would have hoped.

14 May 2013 31By Andrew MartonikAn extensive new white Nexus 4 sighting leaves us with just as many questions as it answers
We know based on previous pictures that at least in some capacity LG has made the Nexus 4 with a white casing, and this is probably the most extensive look at the device we have to date...

07 May 2013 1169By Phil NickinsonUpdate: And this contest is closed. Thanks, everybody! Stay tuned for Wednesday's giveaway. Up next in our "Get crap off Phil's Desk" content is the Nexus 4 wireless charger. This is the one that's about the size of a tennis ball, only it's black and charges a smartphone...

06 May 2013 683By Phil NickinsonI have, on occasion, been accused of being somewhat of a pack rat. Seeing as how it's springtime, perhaps a little cleaning is in order. So each day this week we're going to give away something that I've got laying around...

11 April 2013 150By Derek KesslerWebOS Nation Editor in Chief Derek Kessler remembers a simpler era, when Palm Touchstones ruled the land
About a month ago I picked up an LG Nexus 4. I've known Android for some time, but until buying the Nexus 4 I'd yet to actually own an Android handset...

03 April 2013 36By Alex DobieHeadphones with line mic, charger and microUSB cable now available separately
Google has launched three new accessories for the Nexus 4 through the Google Play devices store...

02 April 2013 2By Alex DobiePrice cards, dummy​ units signal arrival of Nexus 4 on Canadian carrier
Many Canadian mobile operators have been offering the LG-made Nexus 4 for the past several months, but TELUS has been a notable hold-out...

28 March 2013 87By Phil NickinsonSmall nubs now lift the back of the phone up off a table; camera lens gets a slight redesign
Android Central has confirmed that the Nexus 4 has undergone a little bit of a design tweak. As first reported by German site MobiFlip...

21 March 2013 5By Casey RendonPerhaps one of the most sought after accessories on Google Play, the bumper case for Google's Nexus 4 is back in stock. Ever since the launch of the Nexus 4, Google has had problems getting these bumpers out to customers. Even those who ordered on launch day were told to expect delays up to 3 weeks...

21 March 2013 2By Alex DobieThe UK isn't the only country that's just seen a fresh influx of Nexus 4 stock at its Google Play Store. Today the official +Nexus Google+ page sends word that the coveted handset is now back in stock in Germany...

19 March 2013 7By Andrew MartonikAfter a not-so-brief hiatus from the U.K. Play Store, the Nexus 4 is back up for sale. In both 8GB and 16GB versions for £239 and £279, respectively. We can't say how long this will last, but if you have yet to get your hands on one directly from the source, now is the time...

14 March 2013 133By Alex DobieThey're two of the hottest Android phones around right now, so how do the HTC One and the Nexus 4 stack up?
When Google released the LG-made Nexus 4 late last year, it went toe-to-toe with the leading hardware of the time at a fraction of the price...

07 March 2013 5By Casey RendonThis has been an exciting couple of months for Google fans in Japan. First the Nexus 10 launches, then the 3G Nexus 7, and now finally the Nexus 4. The Japanese product page is up, giving a rundown of everything Google's latest flagship phone has to offer. The hardware looks identical to the U.S...

05 March 2013 9By Jerry HildenbrandWe've got four Nexus 4 charging orbs here, and each of them is looking for a loving home. That means it's giveaway time again! We want to give all four of these to someone who can use them, and unlike Google, we're doing it worldwide...

04 March 2013 43By Alex DobieGlass-backed devices like the Nexus 4 look great. But a glass back, like any design decision, is a compromise. Glass -- even reinforced glass like Corning’s Gorilla Glass 2 -- is less durable than metal or plastics. And besides, not everyone is fond of the look and feel of a glass-backed smartphone...